Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: A Report to Congress

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and lifelong disability among children and young adults in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that each year, approximately 1.5 million Americans survive a traumatic brain injury, among whom approximately 230,000 are hospitalized. Approximately 50,000 Americans die each year following traumatic brain injury, representing one third of all injury-related deaths. Adolescents, young adults, and the elderly are at highest risk of these injuries; the most common causes are attributed to motor vehicle crashes, falls and violence.